Number injured in Berlin knife rampage rises to 41

The number of people injured when a teenager allegedly rampaged through a Berlin crowd with a knife has risen to 41, prosecutors said today.

They also confirmed that the suspect had been drinking.

A 16-year-old student is under investigation for attempted murder for attacking pedestrians on Friday evening after the opening of the city’s new central railway station.

Authorities initially said 28 people were hurt, some seriously, in the incident, which fanned concern about security before German hosts the World Cup.

However, the toll has risen as others have come forward after one of the victims said he was HIV-positive.

Michael Grunwald, a spokesman for Berlin prosecutors, said today that the number hurt stood at 41, 33 of whom suffered cuts or stab wounds. Some suffered slight injuries that they only noticed later.

Dozens of people, including several who came to the victims’ aid, have undergone medical tests and some are receiving medication to reduce the risk that they could catch HIV, which can be transmitted via infected blood.